Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn whatever he could about the game. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the negative comments from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable love for poker. He states that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.